Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-09-10
4 FAIR SPY
BY FLOYD C. GARRETT.

ing myself after the usual manner Of
soldiers of duty, when a messenger
boy approached me and politely touch
ing his cap, handed me a message.
1t was a hasty note from the Colonel
requesting my immediate presence.
1 arose, and following the messenger
out Of my tent, started in search of
Col Edwards.
1 found him seated in front of his
tent putting a fragrant Havana and
deeply absorbed in thought. The
sound Of my footstep attracted his at
tention, and he raised his head as I drew
near.
"You sent for me-" 1 asked.
He made no reply, but entering the
tent motioned for me to follow.
81 have news for you, Lieutenant.
We have n spy in our camp, were the
COloneTs first words
Impossible" I exclaimed in my as
constituent at such unexpected and I'M
welcome intelligence.
AZ would that you We're right. But
'tis all too true. My evidence is conclu-
sive. knowing your ability in that
line, I have sent for you to undertake
the task Of searching out the unwel-
come visitor"
He then placed in my hands
the evidence that he had col
lected. and, unwilling though I was,
was compelled to admit that there
was a spy within our lines.
The task Of capturing the spy proved
oil Z 4A1I= Z
to give up in despair when lucky cir
cumstance threw him in my way. He
was a small, boyish-loolling fellow, con-
nected with the quartermaster's depart
ment. His mode of procedure had been
to collect his information, and then,
aided by the darkness of the nights,
would place his message upon a piece
of bark or wood and float it down the
river to his companions. He appeared
very Indifferent when 1 clasped the
hand cuffs upon his delicate wrists, and
made no resistance or denials, and
withal appeared utterly unconscious of
his danger.
I promptly conducted him to the
Colonel and related the circumstance
Of his arrest and Of his conduct under
1t, and also presented him with the pa
pers found upon the person Of the pris-
oneT, proving undeniably his guilt.
3" His guilt cannot be questioned,
Colonel" was the decision Of one Of
his Etaff who happened to be present
Ihoticed an unusual flush upon the
Colbners face at this, and he seemed
unaf countably confused. The spy,
however, remained unmoved and the
expression Of his stolid face never
changed in the least
What is your name, sir?" asked the
Colonel, collecting himself with an eff
fort
Edward Alton" was the clear,
steady reply, and to me there seemed
a tohe Of triumph in the voice After
q short consultation with his staff the
Colonel ordered me to take the prisoner
to the guard-house. As the night had
the appearance Of being a stormy one
the prospect Of guarding the spy was
far from being a pleasant one.
i was considerably surprised as we'll
as pleased to be relieved from duty an
houF later by the Colonels order, my
plade being filed by a rotund German,
the raw recruit of the regiment.
i made my way to my quarters, in
warFly thanking the Colonel for his
kindness in my behalf
The next morning it was noised all
ove4 camp that the spy had effected
his escape. How it had been effected
no one knew.
The Colonel investigated the matter
without result, and the case soon passed
from memory. A week later, as our
brigade was about to go into action, a
tall. dark, handsome man approached
Col Edwards.
"A word with you, Colonel, please.
A shade Of annoyance passed over
the pOlonel's face.
He stopped, however, to hear what
he might say. When they were alone
together the strangers dark face be
came even darker and his fierce black
eye differed dangerously.
at is needless to introduce myself
Colonel; you have known ne too long
to make that necessary. Perhaps and
he Stranger tore the beard from his
face. perhaps you have met me be-
ore.P
ALLEN Kerrl" gasped the Colonel.
ne same by your leave. Glad you
-,cognize an Old acquaintance. But 10
u.i4ess. I may as we'll inform You.
sir, that have been in camp long
enough to witness the arrest and escape
Of tlie rebel spy.
TIlo Coloners face turned ashy pale
and be appeared to gasp for breath.
N ot very welcome bit Of intelli-
genob, eh?" laughed Kerr.
"CpL Edwards, he continued, "as
you may know. am aware of your
secrdt I know that the spy was none
othef than your own daughter. and
that you with your own hands released
her arom captivity. am come to treat
for terms. When once I asked your
daughters hand in marriage you
spurhed me as a viper But my time
is ooEne. You are in my power. Once
moro / ask your consent to our mar
riag8; and if you refuse!
"Have mercy, " gasped Col Edwards.
you know that Kitty can never marry
you can never be your wife. I could
not zee my own child suffer when it lay